Bluewater Point Resort's onsite managers are husband and wife team, Kevin and Anthea McNamara; enthusiastic managers originating from South Australia, who are relatively new to the industry and purchased their management rights 18 months ago.
Kevin explained that they were attracted to Bluewater Point Resort due to its “location, location, location”, being only 800 metres from pristine Kawana Beach, having stunning canal (water) views from every apartment and accessing with ease all the wonderful delights of the Sunshine Coast. The resort offers a combination of accommodation for owner occupiers, long-term lets and holiday rentals. “It’s a great place to work and live,” he added.
The unique Bluewater Point property is a curved four-level building with an underground carpark, and the 63 apartments overlook Jessica Haven and its marina at Minyama. Kevin revealed: “The property was built in 2002 but had an unfortunate start; upon completion, the curved design of the property caused some noise and this was widely reported by the local media. The builder immediately rectified the problems but when such a story gets out, people can have long memories. Thankfully, despite all the doom and gloom stories that aired, the splendid resort is still proudly standing and is presently having a refresh - an external wash and paint.”
This is a 4.5-star-rated property of two and three-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouses, all with quality furnishings, modern amenities and facilities, plus guests enjoy free wifi and Foxtel TV along with a full kitchen and laundry. The penthouses have a relaxing and spacious rooftop terrace with a barbeque and outdoor settings and guests are impressed by the sensational water views from both lounge and master bedroom.
Mooloolaba is an ideal spot for small families and the property is a “tranquil, peaceful oasis, perfectly positioned, near to beaches, attractions, events, shops and restaurants and the high energy of Mooloolaba and Maroochydore is only five minutes away”. It also appeals to couples and corporate guests.
Prior to purchasing the management rights at Bluewater Point Resort, Kevin had worked in South Australian law and enforcement for 30 years in outback and remote Aboriginal communities. He also worked for the Australian government for indigenous affairs as a solution broker and has several degrees including a grad cert in business as part of an MBA.
Anthea has a varied work history but most relevant is her industry experience, having owned a hotel in the South Australian outback, and she also worked in aged care. Her experience includes operating and owning a licenced post office in the northern suburbs of Adelaide and she managed an importing/retail business in conjunction with Kevin. Here, at Bluewater Point Resort they spilt the main duties with Anthea looking after the holiday rentals, banking and office tasks and Kevin managing everything else.
Jessica, their 23-year-old daughter, also helps with various property management tasks, she is currently the weekend cleaner because she is studying a double degree in business studies and creative writing at the Sunshine Coast University. “This is not bad for a kid that was born profoundly deaf and had a cochlear implant at the age of two,” Anthea proudly divulged.
It took Kevin and Anthea some time to take the big step into management rights, Anthea explained: “Kevin started researching several years before we bought Bluewater Point Resort. He had the idea of purchasing management rights in Queensland after working in the Northern Territory and enjoying its warm temperature that varied from 20-32°C, it was such a welcome change from the freezing cold and extreme heat of Adelaide!
“He regularly used the internet: to look at properties, study their worth, return on investment, location and after he weighed up the plethora information we went on industry seminars and spoke to friends about the business. In 2014 we visited Queensland to look at properties and saw many typical management rights - they didn’t appeal, but when we saw Bluewater Point Resort we knew it was different. The managers’ residence was big and had a great view of the canal - it felt comfortable and we knew it could be our home.”
For potential resort managers, Kevin advised: “Do your due diligence on the business, not just the financials. Check to make sure processes and procedures are in place for the operation of the business. Running a mixed management right is like running a cruise ship - you must know more than how to check in passengers.
Know how it runs, what and who to contact if something goes wrong, where the plans are and question if there any major issues on the horizon with the body corporate and building. It is no different to buying any other business - do your homework!
Anthea admitted that owning a management rights is a great way to spend time with the family and not have to travel for work but it is a labour of love and can be all-consuming. She said: “We listen to customers and try where possible to improve our services, at the same communicating with owners to try and improve their investments.
“As much as you don’t have a lot of time to socialise with other resort managers; on the Sunshine Coast, there is a good informal network that allows us to brainstorm each other’s knowledge and it can help resolve problems and makes you feel like you’re not alone."
